The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown

He is on a mission and soon makes her take part in his witch hunts. Alice tries to change his mind, but soon finds his mind cannot be changed. He has a list of names and carefully takes notes as he interviews those who have been accused of witch craft.

He has become a powerful man who is feared as he is a hunter of witches. Matthew is now a man with power and influence. He is no longer the young man who loves scripture. She has not seen him in five years and finds that he has changed. *Thank you to Netgalley & Penguin UK for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review*Īlice Hopkins is a pregnant widow who must return to her hometown of Manningtree, Essex, to reside with her brother, Matthew Hopkins. All I can say is that Beth Underdown has created a wonderful historical thriller, and though the subject matter is really heartbreaking to read at times, it is SO worth it. Though this story is based on fact, the author has woven a fictional tale around it, for it isn't known whether Matthew Hopkins actually had a sister. He and his henchmen were responsible for over 100 women going to the gallows. But whichever means brought them to Hopkins attention, one thing was for certain, they were doomed. Women were tried as witches for the most menial of things - some were just a bit different, a little eccentric, some were lonely individuals unable to fend for themselves, or perhaps some of them had mental health problems - some were even reported for witchcraft by neighbours with a score to settle. He took the office of Witchfinder General upon himself, very much self appointed, and he was never officially recognised by parliament.

Oh boy, this was a harrowing tale, made more so by the fact that Matthew Hopkins actually existed, and the trials are well documented. In trying to understand his motives, she also uncovers some dark secrets going back to when they were very young, but in doing so, she puts her own life in peril. Matthew is a cruel, troubled, sullen individual, with a persona of evil about him.Īlice discovers that not only is Matthew a man of influence these days, but he is also a merciless hunter of witches! His very name incites terror in the hearts of ordinary people for miles around.Īlice does her best to reign Matthew in, but he won't be thwarted in his quest to bring these so called witches to trial. She will be living with her brother Matthew Hopkins 'The Witchfinder General'. London 1645, and Alice Hopkins finds herself pregnant, and having to return to her home village of Manningtree, Essex, after the death of her husband. Long before the Salem witch trials, there were the Manningtree witch trials in Essex England, and for many women it was a time of pure terror.

The Witchfinder's Sister by Beth Underdown